The weather held steady as he traveled back home, his heart thumping in his chest. His thoughts were filled with nothing but the death of his own mother, save for that in his thoughts now, her face was Lizzy's. Something was wrong, that was all he knew. Something was wrong, and he was not there.
He shook himself out of his morbid thoughts, knowing that he would have to focus on the road in he wanted to make it to Lizzy unscathed.
Meanwhile, the laudunam was not working with Lizzy. She was moaning and screaming in pain as the contractions hit.
"Mama?" Jane whispered as Lizzy settled again. Her eyes were screwed shut, her breathing harsh. Mrs. Bennet was at her side in an instant.
"Yes, dear?"
"I think she is bleeding again" Jane motioned to the slightly red sheets. "She's paler too"
"I'll fetch the doctor" Mrs. Bennet looked worried, but kissed both daughters of the forehead before leaving. Doctor Williams returned with her a few seconds later. He quickly set about examining Lizzy.
"She's loosing more blood," He told them. "We need to start the labor. We don't want to have to cut her open" It was a new thing, and it was not successful. Mrs. Bennet did not want to see her daughter cut open, not now, not ever.
"So we try the herbs the midwife provided?" Mrs. Bennet asked. "They worked for me when my fourth daughter was late"
"In terms of lateness of birth, they are usually effective. I do not know how these will effect your daughter, Mrs. Bennet," The doctor confessed.
"We have to try" Mrs. Bennet sighed. "Jane, have Mrs. Reynolds brew them into a cup of tea." Jane nodded with tears in her eyes and left to fetch the housekeeper.
"Have we any word of Mr. Darcy?"
"He should be here soon, provided Patrick reached him on time" Mrs. Bennet confessed. "I do not know where he is though"
"We will wait a few minutes then," He started to prepare his medical equipment as Mrs. Bennet attempted to convince Lizzy that her best option would be the herbs. She would give her the tea without telling her of the herbs if needed, but she wanted her to be willing.
"William isn't here, he has to be here"
"Lizzy, you need to have the baby now, the more time you delay, the more you hurt the both of you"
"It hurts, Mama," She whispered.
"I know, my dear daughter, I know it" She shushed her gently. "All will be well. This will all be a distant memory when you have your child wrapped safe in your arms. Just take the herbs, dear"
"I can't, please do not make me, please" She begged. Another contraction hit her. She gripped her mother's arm in her own, gasping for breath.
"Lizzy" Her mother sighed.
"His mother died in childbirth" She admitted, "He will be so scared, I need to see him before, please, please Mama" Mrs. Bennet hadn't known this detail and hoped that her daughters husband was safe in his travels.
"Do not fret now, Lizzy. You need your strength, we will give him another half hour, that is it"
He was riding fast through the forests surrounding Pemberely. He could see the great house in the distance. He raced faster, jumping off his horse as he approached, racing up the front steps and into the foyer.
"Master William!" Mrs. Reynolds raced down the stairs, dragging him back up them with her.
"How is she? What happened?" He asked as they ran up the stairs and down the corridors.
"She awoke this morning in pain. We called Doctor Williams; she's losing blood, but she refused to take the herbs until you were here" They had reached the door.
"Thank you Mrs. Reynolds" He pulled her into a hug, she was always like a mother to him, and he was thankful her strength at the moment. "Please write to Georgiana, tell her what has happened, ask the Colonel to bring her home as soon as possible"
"All will be well, William" He nodded once and entered her chambers.
"Oh, William, thank heavens!" Mrs. Bennet was rushing over to hug him, then dragging him to Lizzy's bedside. She was pale, paler then she should be. He could see blood on the sheets, and a thin layer of sweat was visible on her brow.
"William!" Lizzy was alert, but looked weak and pale.
"Lizzy" He whispered, kneeling next to her, gripping her hand in his own. "Oh Lizzy" He caressed her cheek, causing her eyes to flutter.
"Fitzwilliam" She whispered, tears gathering in her drowsy eyes. "I love you"
"I love you too, Lizzy," He whispered, kissing her forehead. "What is happening, Doctor Williams?"
"She's bleeding. We need to deliver the baby. She needs to take the herbs to hopefully speed up the process"
"Lizzy, please, take the herbs" She nodded and allowed him to help her drink the tea. She sputtered and gasped at a wave of pain hit her mid sip. He rubbed circles on her back as she breathed through it.
"Edward" She whispered as another wave of pain hit her. "Bennet Edward Darcy"
"Bennet Edward Darcy" He repeated. "You can name him yourself once this is over"
"Just-" She gasped. "Encase"
"Lizzy" He warned.
"Kiss me, please, William" He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in an emotion filled kiss. He could feel her tears on his cheeks.
"You need to leave now, Mr. Darcy" The doctor told him.
"No, please, let him stay. I cannot do this without him" Mrs. Bennet and the doctor shared a look, but eventually it was decided that Mr. Darcy could stay. Jane excused herself; the birthing room was no place for an unmarried woman.
"Sit behind her, Mr. Darcy. Support her back" He pulled off his riding boots and did as the doctor bid. Lizzy was trembling in his arms, body tensed with pain and soaked in sweat.
"Alright Mrs. Darcy, I need you to push now"
"There's a good girl Lizzy, push" Mrs. Bennet encouraged, gripping her daughters hand.
"I can't," She whispered after several minutes of exhausted pushing. "I can't do it," She sobbed.
"Come on Lizzy, love, you can do it. Just picture little Fanny in your arms" Lizzy managed a small smile and laugh.
"Just wait for the pain to come, and push. Women do this everyday Lizzy" Mrs. Bennet reminded her.
Another half hour passed before the babe finally entered the world. It was dead silent as the doctor cut the cord and whisked the child to the warm blankets the midwife had waiting.
"It's a boy," The doctor whispered.
"Why isn't he crying? William, why isn't he crying?" Lizzy clutched at his shirt.
"I don't know, I don't know" He was going mad with worry as well. Babies were supposed to scream and cry as they were born. Georgiana's cries had awoken the whole house.
"He's breathing, ma'am" Meera called over from where she was helping the midwife clean the child. "He's breathing"
"You still have to deliver the after birth, Mrs. Darcy. I need you to keep pushing" The Doctor reminded her. Lizzy was distracted, but the pain was still there. She pushed again, just wanting to hear her child's voice.
"Is that another head?" Mrs. Bennet shrieked.
"Twins" The doctor murmured. "Come now, Mrs. Darcy, push again"
"Twins" He repeated in a daze, "Lizzy, we're having twins" She gave another watery smile and continued pushing. The second babe came into the world with quiet little mewing noises. Not quite the screams of most children, but noise none the less. Lizzy sagged with relief. Both her children were alive.
"Oh" Lizzy deflated against him. Her eyes were drifting close.
"It's another boy, Mrs. Darcy" She heard Meera say over the loud rushing noise in her ears.
"Lizzy, stay awake, Lizzy!"
"She's bleeding again"
"Lizzy!"
She was unconscious for the first week of her little boys' lives. She awoken exactly one week and seven hours later, eyes searching for her children, for her husband. Jane was sitting next to her in a chair.
"Jane" She whispered, her voice raspy from disuse.
"Lizzy! Oh, let me get William!" Jane kissed her forehead and ran from the room, skirts trailing behind her. Two minutes later he was rushing into the room, a large smile on his face.
"Lizzy!" He embraced her tightly on the bed. She winced in slight pain, but hugged back as tight as she could, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
"Fitzwilliam" She murmured softly. "Where are they? Please, are they alright?"
"They are perfectly healthy. They are perfect in general. Twenty little toes, and twenty wiggling fingers. Georgiana and Jane will bring them in a few minutes" He whispered.
"I'm sorry William" She whispered against his neck. "I am so sorry"
"For what, my love?" He asked.
"For scaring you. I know you must have been so worried"
"I will not lie, I was terrified beyond belief. But it is not your place to apologize for that. You are awake now, and our two little boys are healthy."
"Twins, I cannot truly believe it" She smiled.
"Well, believe it, these two are going to be absolute cads. He already winks at me, Lizzy!" Georgiana announced carrying a bundle of blue blankets into the room. She bent and kissed her sister on the cheek. "I am overjoyed that you are better now"
"Thank you Georgie" Lizzy whispered.
"Now, this is baby number one. William calls him Bennet" She placed the blankets in her arms. Lizzy looked down at her son in awe. He had large Darcy blue eyes and a thick patch of dark curls. He was smaller then most babies his age, but he had a healthy look to him. He blinked up at her.
"He is an absolute angel, do not let Georgiana dissuade you" Jane announced. "Bennet is quiet as a mouse only crying when needed. This little one cries when no one is around, which is very seldom, I assure you." Jane placed her blue blanketed bundle in Mr. Darcy's waiting arms. "Mama wishes to see you when you feel up to it. She knows you will need time with Mr. Darcy and the babes"
"Thank you, Jane, Georgiana" They both smiled and left the room arm and arm.
"They are already spoiling the two of them" Mr. Darcy remarked. He had adjusted himself so that he was lying next to Lizzy in the bed. She scooted gently over so that she was nestled against him, the babe still secure in her arms. At this angle she was able to hold one child while still being able to look at the other.
"William" She said.
"Hmmm?" Mr. Darcy asked, looking down to find his wife staring at the babe in his arms.
"We shall call him William"
"Are you certain?" He asked.
"Yes, William Francis, and Bennet Edward, for your father"
"Will and Ben"
"Ben and Will" Lizzy correct with a smile. "You know what this means, do you not?"
"I do not, but I am sure you shall tell me"
"Well, for one thing, the next child will have to be named Richard, or the Colonel shall never speak to us again" Mr. Darcy laughed, causing little William to open his eyes. They were green unlike Bennet's blue ones.
"And the other thing?"
"Well, since we now have two sons, you shall have to do my bidding for two whole weeks!"